Chinese Medicine is both a physiological and an energetic medicine. We deal primarily with what we call bodily substances. These are Qi, Blood, Yin, And Yang. Bodily substances can take more of an energetic form – as in Qi or Yang – or they can take a denser form – as in the case of Blood and Yin.
This article will cover Qi and Blood, the signs and symptoms of imbalance, and some simple lifestyle choices one can make to correct their imbalance. When reading this article, keep in mind that all Chinese Medicine understands pathology first and foremost in terms of excess or deficiency.
NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list and does not address the finer points of pathology and diagnosis in Chinese Medicine. It is recommended that you consult a practitioner to aid you in meeting your health goals.
Qi and its imbalances
For an entire article on Qi, check out What is Qi? Qi is the animating life force that sustains and mobilizes the functions of the body. The functions of Qi are to transport (Qi is what moves the Blood), transform (turning food into nourishment), hold (keeping your organs and Blood in place), protect (keeping pathogens out), lift (keeping your body upright) and warm (keeping your body nice and cozy).
Qi Stagnation
When the Qi of the body is not moving properly, it can become stagnant. This is an excess characteristic. Common things that cause Qi stagnation are a sedentary lifestyle, suppressing one’s emotions, too much dampness in the body (excess Yin), or not having enough Blood for the Qi to move (that’s its job). Symptoms of Qi stagnation are agitation and frustration, bloating, sighing, and dull aching or throbbing pain. Ways to relieve Qi stagnation naturally are exercise, expressing oneself, and getting in the Sun.
Signs: Swollen tongue (up and down), tense or cottony pulse
Qi Deficiency
When there is not enough Qi in the body, we refer to this as Qi deficiency. Common things that cause Qi deficiency are overwork, poor diet (leading to blood deficiency), poor digestion, and sleep deprivation. Symptoms are weak and heavy limbs, general fatigue, getting sick easily, poor digestion (which is also a cause) with loose stools, dull pain that is better with pressure, arrhythmia, bruising easily, trouble staying asleep, spontaneous sweating, shortness of breath, and prolapse. Ways to tonify Qi are eating nourishing and easily-digested foods, rest, and getting your bare feet on the ground. Qi tonics like green tea are also helpful!
Signs: Pale or swollen tongue (side to side) with thick coat and scalloped sides, a pulse that changes amplitude, where the vessel walls feel diffuse or feel like a thinly rolled cigarette
Blood and its imbalances
Blood is that which carries nutrients to tissues and what, in Chinese Medicine, is responsible for housing the mind and storing memories. This is why after a profoundly Blood-moving treatment, patients can experience a resurgence of old memories. Consequently, most treatments geared towards treating trauma in Chinese medicine involve Blood invigoration. Qi and Blood are intertwined. In Chinese Medicine it is said that Blood is the mother of Qi, and Qi commands it’s mother. In other words, you can’t have Qi without Blood, but Qi is what tells Blood where to go.
Blood Stagnation
Blood stagnation happens when the blood isn’t moving properly. This ultimately leads to thick, clotty blood. In Chinese Medicine, Blood stagnation is the most pernicious of all pathologies, but often only occurs with age or with circulatory problems. Blood stagnation can lead to fixed, stabbing pain that is better with movement and worse with rest (as it is an excess condition). Varicose veins and high blood pressure can be signs of Blood stagnation. Blood stagnation can also be cause by toxicity or toxic exposure. Ways to relieve Blood stagnation are exercise, working through old trauma, and getting in the Sun.
Signs: Purple tongue with thick, engorged veins underneath, a choppy pulse that feels grainy or rough like sandpaper
Blood Deficiency
Blood deficiency is a common pathology, but can be quite pernicious as well. Blood deficiency happens when there is not enough blood to nourish the tissues or for the mind to function well. Causes of Blood deficiency are poor diet (lacking in blood nourishing foods, esp. animal products), poor digestion (being unable to transform food into blood), sudden traumatic loss of blood, heavy periods, and overthinking. Symptoms of Blood deficiency are weakness, pale skin, numbness, dizziness, scanty periods, being easily startled or frightful, and the feeling of being small. Ways to nourish Blood are to eat a Blood nourishing diet (rich in iron and animal products), abstain from giving blood, rest (conserving one’s Qi in order to make more blood), and to both get your bare feet on the ground and your body in the Sun.
Signs: Pale or small tongue (esp. with pale sides), a pulse that feels narrow or thin
I hope these concepts help you to understand some of the fundamentals underlying the practice of Chinese Medicine. This knowledge can empower you to create a lifestyle that brings your body better into harmony with nature and promotes your wellbeing.